Postdoc position available – electrochemical diagnostics

Department of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ

• Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electrochemical Diagnostics to work under the supervision of Professor Jason Davis for a period of up to 26 months. The project involves the analysis of neuronal exosomes and is funded by The Weston Foundation.
• Find out more about the Davis research here
• Applicants must hold a PhD in Chemistry or a relevant subject area, (or be close to completion) prior to taking up your appointment. The research requires experience in electrochemical sensors and microfluidics.
• You will be expected to manage your own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
• The post will be based in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, OX1 3QZ and is available as soon as possible.

Job Description

The role will be associated with the development of highly effective immunomagnetic and microfluidic methods to isolate specific neuronal exosomes prior to ultrasensitive electroanalytical quantification of key markers. It will involve the design of receptive magnetic nanoparticles, electrode interfaces, fluidics, particle based immunocapture platforms and the extensive use of state-of-the-art electrochemical methods.

Responsibilities

1. Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines
2. Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols
3. Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate
4. Contribute ideas for new research projects
5. Develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers
6. Undertake comprehensive and systematic literature reviews and write up the results for publication in peer-reviewed journals
7. Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters
8. Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment
9. Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques
10. Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone
11. Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups
12. Actively participate in journal club meetings
13. PDRAs may be required to teach, this may include lecturing, small-group teaching, and tutoring of undergraduates and graduate students.

Selection criteria

1. Hold a PhD in Chemistry or a related area (or be close to completion), prior to taking up the appointment.
2. Have expertise in electrochemical immunoassays and microfluidics.
3. Be able to demonstrate competence and as judged by publications (or papers in press) in high quality peer reviewed journals. Evidence will be sought of a deep understanding of the applicant’s previous fields of research and evidence of independent intellectual and practical contributions to previous research projects, as indicators that such attributes can be brought to bear on the present project.
4. Be viewed as a motivated, enthusiastic, organised self-starter; one who can work with a minimum of supervision but at the same time extract the benefits of an excellent research environment.